Any new updates on the IPF?

[SMU89]

Most IPF's are heinous eye sores that belong nowhere near our spectacular campus. Any structure we place within a stones throw of Ford will cost double what the typical IPF costs. It would be cool to see one sunken like Ford to keep the structure below the tree lines, if possible.

I am part of the camp that says we don't need it and the team should practice in the elements. However I do concede that we should have one to stay on par with other programs.

The current trend in indoor practice facilities is not to just put up a shed with some astroturf and call it an "indoor practice facility". Sure, some schools are still doing that (Mississippi State's Palmeiroid Center is basically a shed with a 50 yard football field) but that's not the general trend.

My concern is that there really isn't space on campus for a true football training and practice complex.

The "indoor practice facilities" that really wow recruits these days are fully integrated football complexes. They have locker rooms, weight rooms, an indoor field, coaches' offices, meeting rooms, dining facilities (in some cases, like Ole Miss' Manning Center), etc... and they are adjacent to the outdoor practice fields so that the team can quickly move between the outdoor fields and indoor field... from the locker room to the trainer's table and then to the practice field, etc.

My opinion on an IPF at SMU is this: If we're just going to put up a bubble or shed and call it an IPF, we might as well not do it. Indoor practice facilities in the south/Texas are more about recruiting than anything else... a shed/bubble isn't impressive.

Don't think we need to worry about SMU putting up a shed or bubble.

[Puckhead48E]

Blow up the soccer field and track. Put an indoor track around the ipf there. We haven't had a track meet on campus in 10 years and soccer can practice on the current fb practice field.

Doing it right involves not screwing over one of the only programs on campus that actually had some success over the past 3 decades. People whine about swimming and soccer, and [deleted] about a track (we do have a women's program), but those are the only programs worth a [deleted] at SMU for the past 30 years that dragged us from our basement into mediocrity. Do it right and put it in a location where you have an indoor and outdoor field in a location that has enough size to support it.

And as an aside...bet soccer and swimming and tennis an all those other evil sports fill a greater percentage of their stands than football. Basically, do it right. Don't screw over the only actual athletes this school produced in any number the past few decades. Show this is an outstanding program and do the IPF right.

[AusTxPony]

Someone explain to me why a recruit would make a lifelong decision based on having an IPF? I don't buy it. How many times a season is one actually needed?

[LakeHighlandsPony]

Its an arms race to impress 17 and 18 year old kids many of whom are from the other side of the tracks. Don't kid yourself-many of the kids are picking schools based on cool uniforms.

[fifty]

You "need" it from december through february and any other 7am days it's too cold to sprint hard, or is raining hard, or there is lightning. Otherwise you can stay inside and do jumping jacks with Mel.
Track and soccer could make use of it as too.

[gostangs]

it part of the offering list - and it shows commitment to the program. Its not number one, but its on the list.

[STLStang]

Its an arms race to impress 17 and 18 year old kids many of whom are from the other side of the tracks. Don't kid yourself-many of the kids are picking schools based on cool uniforms.

Chrome helmets for the win!

[SMUer]

Bury it under Wescott. Keep a grass surface on top. Have a tunnel built that goes into Ford Stadium Locker-room #TightDiggs

[smusic 00]

Thought it was posted. Turner took a huge jab at JJ for nixing the mrs baird's site.

Tearing down the Mrs. Bairds site was a travesty

Opening my dorm window, and smelling the smell of baking bread was heaven Indeed that
most people on here I realize never experienced Then hearing the new version of Peruna,
the Jerimiah was a bullfrog by 3 Dog Night version, for the first time by the Mustang Band
practicing it for the first time

Then they brought some still warm bread freshly baked to eat with butter over to the dorm for
finals

As That's Great Raphl used to say, Ooooooo

Keep smokin the good stuff

[LakeHighlandsPony]

It also pretty weak when the closest high school has one and you don't.

[Digetydog]

Thought it was posted. Turner took a huge jab at JJ for nixing the mrs baird's site.

Tearing down the Mrs. Bairds site was a travesty

Opening my dorm window, and smelling the smell of baking bread was heaven Indeed that
most people on here I realize never experienced Then hearing the new version of Peruna,
the Jerimiah was a bullfrog by 3 Dog Night version, for the first time by the Mustang Band
practicing it for the first time

Then they brought some still warm bread freshly baked to eat with butter over to the dorm for
finals

Forget Mrs Bairds, my dorm came with a view of the SMU coeds tanning at the outdoor pool!

[Chnash318]

Thought it was posted. Turner took a huge jab at JJ for nixing the mrs baird's site.

Tearing down the Mrs. Bairds site was a travesty

Opening my dorm window, and smelling the smell of baking bread was heaven Indeed that
most people on here I realize never experienced Then hearing the new version of Peruna,
the Jerimiah was a bullfrog by 3 Dog Night version, for the first time by the Mustang Band
practicing it for the first time

Then they brought some still warm bread freshly baked to eat with butter over to the dorm for
finals

Forget Mrs Bairds, my dorm came with a view of the SMU coeds tanning at the outdoor pool!

Wish I had had that room...

[PonyFan32]

Blow up the soccer field and track. Put an indoor track around the ipf there. We haven't had a track meet on campus in 10 years and soccer can practice on the current fb practice field.

Doing it right involves not screwing over one of the only programs on campus that actually had some success over the past 3 decades. People whine about swimming and soccer, and [deleted] about a track (we do have a women's program), but those are the only programs worth a [deleted] at SMU for the past 30 years that dragged us from our basement into mediocrity. Do it right and put it in a location where you have an indoor and outdoor field in a location that has enough size to support it.

And as an aside...bet soccer and swimming and tennis an all those other evil sports fill a greater percentage of their stands than football. Basically, do it right. Don't screw over the only actual athletes this school produced in any number the past few decades. Show this is an outstanding program and do the IPF right.

I'm completely with you about doing it right and not screwing over soccer, swimming, women's track, etc. But the percentage of stands filled is not a valid measure of a program's worth. Besides, I went to some soccer games when we were going to the College Cup, and those stands were not exactly full. Secondly, even a mediocre football team is more valuable to the university in terms of alumni support than the best swimming and soccer programs. Unfair, but it's true.

You would have a much better argument saying "look at the ROI of soccer and swimming vs football" since football is still substantially more revenue negative than either of those sports will ever be.

[Pony Grey Hair]

Latest I have heard is that the IPF will go where the intramural field is currently next to Moody Garage. New intramural fields will be built south of the Bush Library. Track to stay where it is. Not confirmed but strong rumor.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Latest I have heard is that the IPF will go where the intramural field is currently next to Moody Garage. New intramural fields will be built south of the Bush Library. Track to stay where it is. Not confirmed but strong rumor.

Interesting. I had not heard that idea, but it makes a lot of sense.